ESPN finds fitting replacement for Hank Williams Jr. on ‘MNF’

With Hanks Williams Jr. out of the picture since the first time since the 1980s, ESPN needed a new intro for “Monday Night Football.” And they needed it fast.

By Friday, the problem was solved.

Lions Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders will narrate the opening sequence when the Lions host the Chicago Bears on Monday, the Detroit Free Press reported.

“Ok, I admit it,” Sanders tweeted Thursday. “I will be at MNF this week and doing the intro.”

Sanders will narrate an opening sequence, and the network will attempt to find an appropriate personality for each of the remaining games.

“This is the format we’ll likely use the remainder of the season,” ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz said. “We haven’t made any decisions beyond that.”

Williams was dropped by ESPN in the wake of comments that compared President Barack Obama to German dictator Adolf Hitler. Williams made the remarks on “Fox and Friends” on Monday.

Williams said Thursday that the decision to sever ties with ESPN was his.

“After reading hundreds of e-mails, I have made MY decision,” he wrote in his site. “By pulling my opening Oct 3rd, You (ESPN) stepped on the Toes of The First Amendment Freedom of Speech, so therefore Me, My Song, and All My Rowdy Friends are OUT OF HERE. It’s been a great run.”